Egypt waits for Mubarak’s release into house arrest

AFP, CAIRO

Toppled former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak was expected to leave jail yesterday after a court ordered him released pending trial, but he would immediately be placed under house arrest.

It was unclear when Mubarak might leave Cairo’s Tora prison, or where he would be taken, with sources telling state media that two military hospitals where he has been treated in the past were possible candidates.

The court order for Mubarak’s conditional release came on Wednesday, but was quickly followed by a government announcement that he would be placed under house arrest if released.

Interim Egyptian prime minister Hazem el-Beblawi, in his capacity as deputy military ruler under Egypt’s current state of emergency, ordered Mubarak held, the Cabinet said.

“In the framework of the emergency law, the deputy military ruler ordered Mubarak to be placed under house arrest,” a statement said.

Mubarak still faces trial on charges including corruption and complicity in the deaths of some of the 850 people who died in the 2011 uprising against him.

State news agency MENA said Mubarak’s file would be sent to the prosecutor general yesterday morning for confirmation that there was no basis for his continued pre-trial detention.

If the prosecutor confirmed that and if no new charges were filed, the ex-president would then be flown by military helicopter to house arrest at an undisclosed location, MENA said.

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